Dahl Septic Services · Tank Decommissioning
Septic Tank Decommissioning and Abandonment in Union and Stanly Counties, NC
Connecting to sewer or replacing a system? We find the old septic tank, pump it out, and collapse or remove it and backfill so it’s safe to leave behind.
- Licensed & insured, NC license #9407I
- Owner & team: over a decade in septic
- 71 five-star Google reviews
Book online | Request a quote | Call or text (704) 218-9070
Septic Tank Decommissioning
A septic tank that’s no longer used doesn’t go away on its own. Left as it is, an old tank can hold sewage for years, and a rusted or cracked lid can give way under a mower, a vehicle or a person. Decommissioning, also called septic tank abandonment, empties the tank and makes it safe to leave in the ground or takes it out.
Dahl Septic Services decommissions tanks for homes and businesses in Union and Stanly counties and nearby. We’re licensed and insured (NC license #9407I), and our owner and team have over a decade of experience in septic work. Call or text (704) 218-9070.
When you need it
When a Septic Tank Needs to Be Decommissioned
- Your home is connecting to sewer. Once the house is on the sewer line, the old tank and any pump tank are out of service.
- You’re replacing the system. A new system may go in a new spot, and the old tank has to be dealt with.
- You found an old tank. Older properties sometimes have a second tank nobody knew about, often turned up during a sale, a renovation or site work.
- You’re building over or near the old system. An addition, garage, pool or driveway can’t go over a tank that’s still holding liquid.
If you’re not sure where the old tank is, we find it by probing and with a sonde, and bring in an excavator when a tank is buried deep or has no records.
North Carolina rules
What North Carolina Requires for Septic Tank Abandonment
North Carolina’s on-site wastewater rules say that when a wastewater system is abandoned or no longer in use, its tanks must:
- have their contents removed by a permitted septage management firm;
- be removed, collapsed or otherwise made unable to hold liquid, and then backfilled; and
- have any electrical parts shut off and any above-ground parts removed.
Your county and your sewer provider may have their own steps on top of that. Before the work starts, check with Environmental Health in your county (contacts below) and with your sewer provider.
How we do it
How We Decommission a Septic Tank
- Find and uncover the tank, plus any pump tank, using a probe and sonde and digging down to the lids.
- Pump it out completely, liquid, sludge and scum, and haul the waste away.
- Collapse or remove the tank. We break the tank down in place so it can’t hold water, or pull it out, depending on the site and what you plan to do with the spot.
- Backfill and grade the hole so the ground is level and safe to mow or build near.
- Pump tanks and alarms: power to the pump and alarm is shut off and above-ground parts such as the control panel and risers come out.
Replacing the system instead? See septic system installation. Need the yard cleared or a driveway put in afterward? See land clearing and site work.
Union County
Septic Tank Decommissioning in Union County, NC
When a Union County home connects to a sewer line, it leaves a septic tank behind. Septic permits in the county are handled by Union County Environmental Health in Monroe (704-283-3553); ask them whether they need anything from you for your address before the tank is decommissioned.
See septic services in Union County for everything else we do there, including pumping and LPP and drip maintenance.
Stanly County
Septic Tank Decommissioning in Stanly County, NC
In Stanly County, decommissioning usually comes with a system replacement, an old tank found on a rural property, or a home in or near a town connecting to sewer. Septic permits come from Stanly County Environmental Health in Albemarle (704-986-3675), with applications through the county’s Central Permitting office (704-986-3667).
See septic services in Stanly County, town by town.
Quick facts
Quick facts: septic tank decommissioning
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | Pumping an unused septic tank, then collapsing or removing it and backfilling |
| When | Connecting to sewer, replacing a system, finding an old tank, building near an old system |
| NC rule | 15A NCAC 18E .1307, Wastewater System Abandonment |
| Where | Union and Stanly counties and nearby |
| License | NC license #9407I · licensed and insured |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm · call or text (704) 218-9070 |
Get started
Get an old tank decommissioned
Tell us the address, whether the home is connecting to sewer or getting a new system, and whether there’s a pump tank. Call or text (704) 218-9070, book online, or request a quote. Consultations and financing are available.
FAQ
Septic tank decommissioning questions
Do I have to decommission my septic tank when I connect to sewer?
North Carolina’s rules say a tank that is no longer in use has to be pumped out, then removed, collapsed or otherwise made unable to hold liquid, and backfilled. Your county and your sewer provider may have their own steps, so check with them too.
Can the old septic tank stay in the ground?
Yes, as long as it is pumped out and collapsed or filled so it can’t hold liquid, then backfilled. Sometimes removing the tank makes more sense, for example when you plan to build on that spot.
Can you find an old septic tank with no records?
Usually, yes. We probe and use a sonde locator, and we bring in an excavator when a tank is buried deep.
What happens to the pump tank and alarm?
They are decommissioned too. The power is shut off and the above-ground parts, such as the control panel and risers, are removed.
Do you decommission septic tanks in Union and Stanly counties?
Yes, across both counties and nearby. Call or text (704) 218-9070.
Real Google reviews
5-star Google reviews
71 five-star Google reviews across our two Google listings. Three of them:
★★★★★
“Excellent service – they decommissioned our old septic tank. They were very helpful in locating our old septic tank, had to bring in the excavator to look for it. Were prompt, on time. Very responsive to phone calls and texts. Overall great company. Highly recommend!”
Google review
★★★★★
“5 Stars, will use Dahl again next time. Great guys who responded quickly, professional, did great work, and educated me about my system. They pumped my tank and replaced my effluent pump. I highly recommend!”
Google review
★★★★★
“I would recommend Dahl Septic Services to anyone! They were very professional and got us on their schedule in a very timely manner. They helped us pump out a septic system and do a septic inspection on a new home! We can’t thank them or recommend them enough”
Google review
Dahl Septic Services
Call, text or book online
214-B E North St, Albemarle, NC 28001 · Mon–Fri 8–5
Ready to schedule? Book online | Request a quote | Call or text (704) 218-9070